Charis Around the World

Life in the Caribbean
By Sheena VandePanne
 

Sheena and Ryan VandePanne Becoming a Midwife I remember when my niece was born four years ago and I was able to be there for her birth.  She was born at home, surrounded by grandmas and aunts.  The mother was allowed to labor with the support of her husband and the midwife stood near only to offer guidance and encouragement when it was truly needed.  Her labor was long and it was intense, but it was beautiful.  I loved being able to see the strength with which my sister-in-law was able to face labor.  I loved the moment when my brother caught his own daughter.  I loved when they were able to sit as a family and meet their new baby without any interruptions or distractions.  I loved how focused on mommy and baby the entire experience was.  A year after this, I went to the hospital to be with my best friend as she gave birth to her own beautiful little girl.  The difference between the two births was more than noticeable.  My friend was observed, not supported.  Her labor was very long and there was a constant atmosphere of urgency for her to get the baby out.  The father was allowed to watch but not allowed to participate.  The nurses acted like this was an awkward situation not a normal process.  When the baby did come she was hastily taken away to be cleaned and checked thoroughly, mom and dad had to wait patiently before they were allowed to meet their baby.  I was so shocked with all of this! Nothing that happened was exactly bad but it was so different than what I had witnessed with my brother's homebirth that it seemed as though my friend had been robbed!!  Participating in these births and seeing what a huge contrast there was really fueled my desire to become a midwife.  I wanted people to know there was another way to do this, that a woman really could enjoy her birth experience. This is one of the things that greatly inspired my decision to pursue midwifery.  I want women to be healthy and have good care available to them, but there's more to it than that.  They need to be given a voice, allowed the major role in their child’s birth, taught to see the beauty in it all.   Their dignity needs to be restored and respected.  To me midwifery is all about showing a woman that she matters, that her baby matters, and that they are not just a name or a number.  It is giving them their right to be heard and be seen.  That can be a difficult thing to fight for in the States, but here in Haiti it is nearly impossible.  The hospitals do not have the means to care for women well and even trying to get the right medical care can be a nightmare.  Recently I met a woman who’d had a hard labor and had to have an emergency cesarean.  She was sent home the next day because they just did not have the space to keep her at the hospital.  For days she was weak and had very high blood pressure, her husband was concerned for her life.  This story isn’t even a very bad story compared to some that I have heard of.  This story is normal. I know that God has called me to work with these very women who face horror stories as reality every day.  These women are His creation.  These children are known to Him even before their mother’s know they are there.  It is my desire to help provide these women with the care that honors the Lord.  I want to give them the respect that they deserve and honor them as women and not as just another medical case.  It is life changing to give them good medical care but I never want to stop seeing the woman or the child.  My dreams are big, but they are simple.  Honor women as I serve them and teach others to do the same. Blessings, Sheena

Our International Charis Family
Your stories from around the world touch us and we pray for your safety.
Thanks, Love and Blessings to every one of you!